This isn’t a tale of heroics, nor is it merely some kind of ‘cynical account’; it isn’t meant to be, at least. It’s a chunk of two lives running parallel for a while, with common aspirations and similar dreams.
Ernesto Guevara, during his travels through South America, where he changed.
So, not long back from seeing Bloc Party at the newly named O2 academy and to be honest, I dont really feel anything. What do you mean? Well, invisible readers, let me tell you. There was once a time (Silent Alarm era) that I was a sucker for any song which included the four blocettes working together to create something which was far greater than the some of its parts.
Matt's drumming was intense and danceable, always, inventive? sometimes, stood out? yes sir.
Gordy's bass antics were like nothing I had witnessed before. At seemingly random moments within a song, a bass line would be dropped, thick and dark and totally engaging, always making me think, why would he choose to put that riff there. Not the most skilled bassist by any means, but he approached it differently from the rest, which impressed me
Russel's solo's, fast, danceable, during silent alarm they were great, they felt new!
Kele, the shy, limelight declining singer/songwriter, songs like modern love and like eating glass showed his range. Bloc being seen as the new 'Smiths' of our generation, what could go wrong?
Jacknife Lee?
Nah, that would be too easy. Kele's ego? Kele's direction?
To be honest, I dont know, but one thing I do know is that somewhere along the way, they lost whatever they had which attached me to their music. I know this is a single perspective view on the band which I once called 'my favorite', but at this point it's the view I feel compelled to write.
So I'm at the gig tonight, they blast through all the new songs and some from the 2nd album and some from the first. They perform well and do genuinly appear to be enjoying themselves, which is definetly reflecting onto the audience. This being bloc's comeback gig after some time off. The first encore begins and I still havent felt 'moved'. 2nd encore kicks off, the opening notes of 'This Modern Love' echo around the vast hall and it hits me. Silent Alarm still is, and will probably always be 'the album' for me, and the reaction I felt when 'Modern Love rung out justified it once more.
Bloc Party to me, is Silent Alarm.
self referential rant over.
10 Perhaps the best flowing album on the list. Flawless production. Two Dancers never drifts off its dream-like tone. Normally I'd choose a couple of stand out tracks but this album is pretty much the whole package, it should be listened to in its entirety.
9 Mew were back this year with another top class album, no one does it like them. Try and pigeon hole them, I dare ya.
8 ..Because Pop music is popular.
7 Didn't think they could top their first, they did.
6 Maybe not the best album on the list, but perhaps the most infectious. Playing God is the best pop song I've heard all year.
5 More people need to take notice of these guys, potential isn't a big enough word.
4 These chaps will be huge one day.
3 Thought this was going to be my favorite album of the year, some of the best hooks you will hear appear on this record, give it the chance it deserves.
2 Don't understand why critics ignored this album, It's phenomenal.
1 They make it look so easy.
